Plug socket



Jan. 11 1927. 1,613,959

L. PROPP PLUG SOCKET Filed July 23, 1921 INVENTOR 130 (1/6 TfiO PATTORNEY along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 of the socket with a connecting plugin place thereon;

'pendently connected to the Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' LOUIS PROPP, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PLUG SOCKET.

Application filed July 23.

This invention relates toelectrical plug sockets.

More particularly, this invention relates to plug sockets adapted foruse with Christmas tree outfits or display window lighting, or the likedecorative electric devices, employing festoons of electric lamps orother such appliances. One object thereof is to provide a device of thischaracter whereby one or more festoons of lamps maybe independentlyconnected to the electric supply.

Another object is to provide in combination with a plug socket of thecharacter described, a unit or festoon adapted to be connected theretoof such construction as to permit any number of such units to beindesource of electric supply.

A further object is to provide a practical device of the characterdescribed which shall be simple and compact in construction and chea tomanufacture.

Ot er'objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described and of which thescope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of various possibleillustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a plug socket embodying this invention showingthe same in use with several units or festoons of lamps connectedthereto;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the socket;

Fig. 3 is an end cross-sectional View taken Fig. 4 is a plan view of theplug socket with one-half of the two part casing removed to show theinterior;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing onehalf of the two-part casing ofthe socket; an 4 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the metal conductingbar of the plug socket.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the plug socket embodying theinvention there shown comprises a casing 10 of insulating materialconsisting of halves 11 and 12 adapted to be secured together by means1921. Serial No. 487,204.

such as a counter-sunk screw 13. Each of the halves is formed on theinterior thereof with a pair of longitudinal channels 14 preferably ofthe shape shown in Fig. 5 and which are arranged in each halfsymmetrically with respect to a medial dividing wall 15. Enclosed withinthe casing is a air of connectors 16 preferably of brass an of the shapeas shown in Fig. 6, so as to fit snugly into the channels 14 when thetwo halves are put to ether. At one end of each connector is a indingpost or connecting screw 17 to which are attached the lead wires fromthe mains as shown at 18 in Fig. 1.

The walls of the channels 14 are indented I at spaced intervals as at 14and the medial wall 15 of the casing correspondingly indented as at 14so as to form between each pair of the indented walls 14 and 14 a socket19 for the reception of one of the connecting members 20 of the plug 21.It will be understood of course that the indented walls 14 and 14 extendthe complete depth of the half of the casing, thus providing -on thefront and rear thereof. a plurality of openings 22. The current may thusbe tapped from a connector 16 by inserting a plug 21 into any of theopenings 22, each connecting member 20 entering into its correspondingrecess 19 and frictionall'y engaging these plugs so as to give goodelectrical contact. Any number of openings 22 of the characterhereinbefore described may be provided, thus making it possible toconnect one or more of these plugs simultaneously to the socket for thepurpose of supplying one or more independent circuits. In the embodimentof the invention shown in the drawing, the plug socket is appliedtosupplying festoons from miniature lamps 23 connected in series withthe lead wires 24, 25 issuing from the plugsocket.

The unit or festoons of lamps provided in connection with the attachmentplug will now be described. This comprises a plurality of miniaturelamps 23 connected in series by the leads 24 and 25 issuing from the lamcord 26.

T e free end of the unit is provided with a plug 21 having extendingtherefrom a pair of contact members 20 whereby the connection is made tothe mains as already described.

It will be readily understood that any number of units may be used asdesired by a aeiacae lugging in each pair of the openings 22 on bothsides and en s of the casing as shown in Fig. 1. Instead of keeping instock testoons of lamps of different arrangement, such for example aseight in series, or a festoon havin two rows of eight in series, eachconnected in parallel or three or four such multiple rows, a dealer maykeep in stock units such as just described and separate units will besold where a single unit of several rows of lamps arranged in multiplelines would have been necessary. Thus, a dealer does not have to run therisk of being over-stocked in the various kinds of multiple units.Furthermore, in the practical use such as in lighting aChristmas treewith units herein provided, there is the advantage that if anything goeswrong with the circuit the bad unit may be disconnected very readilywithout affecting the rest of the li hts of the tree. This is notpossible where multiple units are used. Electrical trouble isfurthermore more readily located Where the single units and attachmentplug provided by this invention are employed.

It will thus be seen that there-is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adaptedto meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention andas various changes might be made inthe embodiment above set forth, it isto be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In an electric plug socket, an insulating casingformed of two halves, said halves being recessed on their interiors toform, when secured together, a pair of longitudinal channels, the casinghaving opposed openings communicating with the channels from the outerfaces thereof, a pair of flattened conductor bars Within said channels,extending laterally equal distances beyond the dividing line of thecasing halves, the casing and bars being of such a width as to permitsimultaneous insertion of plugs in each of said openings.

2. In a unit for connecting a series of electrical appliances, aninsulating casing formed of two halves, said halves being recessedinteriorly to form, when secured together, a pair of longitudinalchannels, the casing having opposed openings communicating with thechannels from the outer faces thereof and openings communicating withthe channels at the ends of the casing, conductor bars within saidchannels of such a width as to permit simultaneous insertion of plugs ineach of said openings.

3. A multiple plug socket connector comprising a two-part casing ofinsulating material having spaced recesses extending longitudinallythereof to provide channels separated by a partition of insulatingmaterial, the Walls of the channels being cut away at spaced intervalsso as to provide opposed socket openings communicating with the exterioroi the casing and adapted to receive simultaneously plug members in eachof said openings, and electrical conductors located in said channels andaccessible through said openings for electrical connection with saidplug members with the exterior surface of said conductors.

4. A multiple plug socket, a connector comprising a two-part casingofinsulating material, said parts being similar, each having spacedrecesses extending longitudinally thereof so as to provide channelsseparated by a partition of insulating material, the

walls of the channels and the end walls of the casing being cut away toform opposed socket openings extending through the sides and ends of thecasing to provide spaced sockets atthesides and ends of the casing, andelectrical conductors located in said channels, the casing and barsbeing of such a width as to permit simultaneous insertion of plugs ineach of said sockets.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, this 21st day of July, 1921.

LOUIS PROPP.

